:: NEWS ::

Contact:                                                                          January 10, 2008
Patricia Clegg, Executive Director
(513) 742-2203

Call For Recommendations

The Winton Woods Community Coalition is pleased to announce that the Greater Cincinnati Debutante and Diplomat Scholarship Program (GCDDSP) is accepting program applications. Debutante and Diplomat Scholarship programs have traditionally been a rite of passage associated with wealth and privilege. Young Men and women from wealthy families often spent thousands of dollars on finishing school and dance classes for a chance to invite friends, families, and community leaders to a formal ball where the Debutante and Diplomat was presented to society. Because of the exorbitant cost this very special rite of passage was out reach for most young men and women. We know that culturally appropriate rites of passage from adolescence into adulthood are critically important to all young Men and women. Without accepted and honored ceremonies, young men and women are initiating each other into adulthood using the symbols of "maturity" that they see as the privilege of adults around them: alcohol, drugs, violence, and sex.

Families will be happy to know that the Greater Cincinnati Debutante and Diplomat Scholarship Program are a high quality alternative to the traditional high cost Debutante and Diplomat Presentation. By combining resources and working together voluntarily we are able to provide this exciting experience for young men and women in our community at a no cost.

The objective of the Program is to engage the community to support positive youth development in five core areas:

1. Commitment to Learning - Young people need to develop a lifelong commitment to education and learning;
2. Social Competencies - Young people need skills and competencies that equip them to make positive choices, to build relationships, and to succeed in life;
3. Positive Identity - Young people need a strong sense of their own power, purpose, worth, and promise;
4. Empowerment - Through service to others;
5. Boundaries and Expectations - Young people need to know what is expected of them and whether activities and behaviors are "in bounds" and "out of bounds."

The Program will focus on social competencies through our professional etiquette program. Participants will be taught social etiquette, table manners and personal style that equip young adults to meet life's opportunities and challenges with confidence. The program will also include:

All participants will receive:

1. Academic, and financial, counseling
2. Exposure to academic programs, VATOD prevention and cultural events
3. Information on post secondary education opportunities
4. Assistance in completing college entrance and financial aid applications
5. Assistance in preparing for college entrance exams
6. Six annual college tours
7. Ti-Chi
8. Chess
9. SAT/ACT prep
10. College tours

The program will begin on June 1, 2008. Due to limited resources we must limit the number of applicants who are selected to 100. To ensure fairness, Debutante and Diplomats will be selected based a point system. Selection announcements will be made on a rolling basis. To obtain an application or to find out more about the application process call (513) 742-2203 for more details.

Smoke Free Workplaces

On November 7, Ohio became the 15th state to pass a strong smoke-free law (ORC 3794) which protects all workers and the public.

The law becomes effective on December 7, 2006 and requires all public places and places of employment to:

1. Prohibit smoking;
2. Post signs indicating that smoking is prohibited and that includes a number to report violations; and
3. Remove all ashtrays and smoking receptacles.

Smoke Free Workplace Act F.A.Q

The Smoke Free Workplace Act becomes law on Dec. 7, 2006.

The Smoke Free Workplace Act covers all enclosed public places and workplaces. If an establishment has an employee or invites members of the public to enter, the establishment shall be smoke-free. An owner of a business must also ensure that smoking outside the building is far enough away from doorways or windows so that smoke does not enter the enclosed area.

Generally, the law does not apply to homes, cars, or outdoor areas.

A proprietor must:
-prohibit smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces and areas near windows and doors;
-conspicuously post no smoking signs; and
-remove ashtrays.
The Ohio Department of Health will provide template no smoking signs with the toll-free hotline number.

Signs can be purchased from any vendor of your choosing. Signage must either read “No Smoking” or have the international “No Smoking” symbol (consisting of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle with a red bar across it). Signs must be conspicuously posted in every public place and place of employment where smoking is prohibited by this chapter. The signs must be clearly legible and must contain the toll-free number for reporting violations, 1-866-559-OHIO (6446). Please note: If the no smoking symbol is used, it must, in accordance with ORC 3794.06A, be printed in color.

Yes. Signs must be conspicuously posted at each entrance to the public place or place of employment. The signs must be clearly legible and must contain the toll-free number for reporting violations.

Smoking is prohibited immediately adjacent to entrances and exits. A proprietor of a business must ensure that smoking outside the building is far enough away from doorways or windows so that smoke does not enter the enclosed area.

The Act defines an “Enclosed Area” as any area that is enclosed by an overhead covering of any kind and walls of any kind on all sides or all sides but one. Therefore, any structure created for smoking employees must not fit the definition of an Enclosed Area in order to allow smoking.

No. The Smoke Free Workplace Act creates a fair, level playing field for all businesses. Franklin County sales tax receipts for bars and restaurants increased 7.4% after Columbus went smoke-free. A 2006 survey of 300 Union County residents found that 74% of respondents indicated that a smoking ban would not deter them from eating out, while 16% of respondents indicated they would eat out more if a smoking ban was enacted. Studies from states and cities that have passed strong smoke-free laws have found no impact or a positive impact on business. They also found it improved the health of workers and customers.

The Ohio Department of Health will designate, through a rule making process, a local enforcement authority which will most likely be the local departments of health. The Ohio Department of Health has until June 7, 2007 to adopt rules that specify the enforcement authority and outline enforcement procedures. The Ohio Department of Health is required to create a website to explain the law, to set up a hotline to take anonymous complaints, and make businesses aware of the law.

Interested parties may follow the status of the rule adoption process by checking the Ohio Department of Health’s website (www.odh.ohio.gov). Draft rules will be posted on the ODH website for review and comment. In addition to the comment period, ODH will hold a public hearing on the rules prior to their adoption.

Even though ODH has six months to adopt rules, the law is still goes into effect on December 7, 2006. Public places and workplaces should begin compliance with the law on that date.

Toll Free Enforcement Line: 1-866-559-OHIO (6446)

This line should be used for all enforcement related questions after November 21, 2006 or to report violations after December 7, 2006. This telephone number must appear on no smoking signs as required by Section 3794.06 of the Revised Code.

Toll Free Information Line: 1-866-634-7654

This line is for general information concerning the law or for non-enforcement related questions.

Experience in cities and states with smoke-free laws shows that such laws are generally self-enforcing. Business owners are law-abiding, and Ohioans and Union County residents overwhelmingly support the law. (57% of Union County voters voted for Issue 5.)

After enforcement begins, both business owners and person(s) in violation of the law would get a warning letter. Smokers who repeatedly violate the law could face civil fines of up to $100. Businesses that repeatedly violate the law face fines starting at $100, but the fine could escalate for repeated violations in a 2-year period, up to $2,500.

Homes, outdoor patios, certain retail tobacco stores, resident-only smoking rooms in nursing homes, up to 20% of sleeping rooms in a hotel, and narrowly defined private clubs are exempt. Please see the summary of the law for more specifics.

A private club is exempt if it meets all of the following criteria (as defined in the Ohio Revised Code 4301.01(B)(13)):

• a corporation or association of individuals organized in good faith for social, recreational, benevolent, charitable, fraternal, political, patriotic, or athletic purposes, which is the owner, lessee, or occupant of a permanent building or part of a permanent building operated solely for those purposes,
• membership in which entails the prepayment of regular dues, and includes the place so operated AND all of the following additional criteria are met:
• the club has no employees,
• the club is organized as a not for profit entity,
• only members of the club are present in the club’s building,
• no persons under the age of eighteen are present in the club’s building,
• the club is located in a freestanding structure occupied solely by the club,
• smoke from the club does not migrate into an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited, and
• if the club serves alcohol, it holds a valid D4 liquor permit.

As defined in the Act, a retail tobacco store is a retail establishment that derives more than 80% of its gross revenue from the sale of cigars, cigarettes, pipes, or other smoking devices for burning tobacco and related smoking accessories. In addition, the sale of other products must be incidental. A retail tobacco store does not include a tobacco department or section of a larger commercial establishment or of any establishment with a liquor permit or of any restaurant.

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